Karnataka govt to recommend separate religion for Lingayats

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah's government will recommend to the Centre that the Lingayats, an electorally influential community in the poll-bound state, should be recognised as a separate religious group.

Lingayats are followers of the social reformer and poet Basavanna, and make up 17 per cent of Karnataka's population.

The BJP's chief ministerial candidate, BS Yeddyurappa, is a Lingayat.

A seven-member committee formerd by the Karnataka



State Minorities Commission had said in a report that "Lingayats in Karnataka may be considered as (a) religious minority."

The BJP and several sections of the Hindu community have maintained a cautious stance, keeping away from the move to give Lingayats (and another community, the Veerashaivas) separate religion status.

They have accused Siddaramaiah's government of dividing society to draw political mileage ahead of the April-May elections.